Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles up the court while bleeding against the Memphis Grizzlies at Ball Arena on April 7, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. Ethan Mito/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images/AFP
Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic said he hopes to spend his entire NBA career with the Denver Nuggets.
“I want to be the Tim Duncan of the Denver Nuggets, but I need to win a couple of championships to be him,” the center told reporters at media day. “I like the city. I like the organization. I like the people. I really enjoy it here. … I don’t want to change anything.”
Jokic, 27, is heading into his eighth season since joining the Nuggets as a second-round pick in 2014.
The Serbian star captured his second straight MVP award in 2021-22 after averaging 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game with 19 triple-doubles.
Denver lost in the first round of the playoff last season to the eventual champion Golden State Warriors.
Jokic confirmed his commitment to the Nuggets this summer by signing a record five-year, $264 million super-max extension that keeps him with the team through at least the 2026-27 season. He has a $60 million player option for 2027-28.
Duncan was the No. 1 overall pick by San Antonio in 1997 and played his entire 19-year career with the Spurs, winning five championships.